Combining politics and family

Some political commentators have suggested that Sarah Palin will have trouble balancing vice presidential duties with raising a family. During state treasurer Sarah Steelman’s 10 year political career she said she was able to find a balance, but it did come with consequences. She choose to put her family first, commute daily from Jefferson City to her home in Rolla and attend family functions over political galas.

"Sometimes you do have to suffer some of the consequences the political consequences of not being able to be to be a part of that good ole boy network and frankly that’s what it is, but being a good mom was more important to me," Steelman said.

It’s hard no matter what you do as a working mother, she said. It’s hard to balance work and family and it’s particularly difficult for women politicians.

"I do think that women are treated differently on the campaign trial," Steelman said. "I think Sarah Palin has been asked questions that no man would have ever been asked and I don’t think that’s fair but you know what she’s tough and women are tough and when you’re in politics you’ve got to be tough."